The Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) of Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) held a Partnership for Australia-Indonesia Research Sulawesi (PAIR Sulawesi) event with the theme “Utilization of Indonesian Government Research Funds: Opportunities and Challenges.” This event took place in the LPPM UNHAS Hall and was attended by various academics, researchers, and representatives from the government and research institutions.
During the event, which was held on November 14, 2024, participants were provided with insights into the mechanisms and opportunities related to the utilization of research funds provided by the Indonesian government. This activity is part of an international initiative that aims to strengthen research cooperation between Indonesia, particularly Sulawesi, and Australia.
Prof. Ir. Suharman Hamzah, Ph.D (Eng) HSE, Secretary of LPPM UNHAS, said that this activity aimed to educate researchers and academics in Sulawesi on how to access and utilize existing research funds, both from the Indonesian government and international programs. “In addition to introducing existing research funds, we also want to share our experiences on how to prepare competitive research proposals and overcome the challenges commonly faced in the funding process,” said Prof. Suharman.
In the panel discussion session, a number of speakers from the Ministry of Research and Technology (Kemenristek), research institutions, and Australian universities discussed various topics related to strategies for effective use of research funds, as well as the challenges faced by researchers in obtaining funding, especially in research areas based on national and global priorities.
This activity also provided an opportunity for researchers and students to expand their international collaboration networks and explore potential funds that can be utilized for innovative research in the fields of science, technology, social sciences, and culture. In addition, discussions on research sustainability and the application of research in community development were among the topics that received special attention.
For information, PAIR Sulawesi is part of a research cooperation program supported by the Australian Government, which aims to improve the quality and impact of research in the Sulawesi region. This program covers various sectors, including health, climate change, economic development, and nature conservation.
This activity is expected to provide significant benefits for improving research capacity in the Sulawesi region and encourage closer collaboration between Indonesian and Australian researchers in facing global challenges in the future.